Process op and apparatus



A. C. ARMSTRONG. PROCESS 0F AND APPARATUS FOR THE DISTILLATION 0F OIL.

, APPLICATION FILED 1AN.5,191B.

i UNITED STATES ARTHUR C. ARMSTRONG,

PATENT OFFICE..l

.OF HAMMOND, INDIANA.

PROCESS OF AND APYARATUS .FOR THE DISTILLATIO OF OIL.`

Application filed January 5, 1918.

` which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in apparatus for thedistillation ofhydrocan bons and the like, and the process ot theii distillation. Ithas for one object the separation in one process by sectionalcondensation and separation, of petroleum distillate of vvariousvaporization points, and is particularly adapted for the refinement ol"gasoline. It has vfor further object to provide an apparatus and aprocess for reiining gasoline which permits the operation of the stillat a relatively low temperature, and thus allowsits operation for alonger period without the risk of overheating the bottom ot the stillmet with in the present vapparatuses and processes. Another object isthe provision of an apparatus for the distillation of hydrocarbons andthe like in which the vapor can be passed through the condensing Sectionat a lower pressure than is usually used. A further object is theprovision ci a still in which no `low grade condensate can gather in thecondensers and lie there, or be carried upward or forward bythe pressureof the vapor or otherwise, so as to bemixed with the higher gradecondensate. Another object is the provision of an appa-raatus and aprocess inwhich the necessary pressure is reduced by the fact that thevapor andthe condensatealways flow in the same direction, through thepipes and condensation passages.` Other objects will appear in thespecilication from time to time.

My invention is illustrated in the accom-v h first section. A vapor pipeJ carries the panying drawings, wherein- Fig. l is a side view withparts in section of the whole apparatus; f F Fig. 2 is a section alongthe line 2 2 of ike parts are indicated by like letters throughout theseveral figures.

A is the .usual type of still with a feed pipe. A1, and heating means A2of any preferred practical form, From the upper surface ot' the stillextends the vapor pipe B. closed shortly above thestill by the valve B1.i The vapor pipe rises substantially vertically M,l closed by a valve M1which leads to a 110 mates. re-

` directly a condensation chamber D, of approximately Specicaton ofLetters Patent. Patentd Feb, 28, 1922 Serial No. 210,582.

to the bend B2, by which it isl recurved to deliver its contentsvertically downwardly into the lateral distribution pipe l. Lyingbelowthe lateral distribution pipe is the same length as 'the distributionpipe, but of ninch greater breadth, height, and volume. Connecting thedistribution pipe and the condensation chamber, are a plurality ofseries of parallel vertical radiation pipes E,

preferably but not necessarily arranged in three parallel, verticalplanes. The number of pipes may be varied, of course, to suit theindividual requirements. This arrangement of distribution pipe,radiation pipe, and condensation chamber, is normally the saine in allthe various radiation sections illustrated in Fig. l, though it will` beunderstood that the size of the parts, and the number and length of thepipes can be varied if found necessary. From the 1nottom of thecondensation chainber flows an oil return pipe F, which leads into thepipe G', down which drains back to the still the lower grade condensatefrom a plurality ol the lower condensation sections. The condensate ofthe first condensation section flows through the pipe F andthe pipe G.reaching the still at al point below the oil level. The pipe Gis closedby a valve G1 which is nor` inally opened at aV point adjacent thestill. From the upper surface of the condensation chamber D, leads avapor pipe H7 which carries the uncondensed vapor upward around abandlll and downward into a radiation and condensation section normallyidentical with the one above described. At the bottom of thecondensation chamber is a pipe I, through which passes the heavycondensate into the pipe already described, reaching the still inthesame mannerand at the saine place as the condensate from the vaporagain upwards and in the same manner to the top of a third similarcondensation section, whence the heavy condensates escape through thepipe K and then through thepipeGr to the still. rl`he vapor pipe Lcarries the uncondensed vapor upward to the top of a fourth condensationsection. To the bottom of the condensation chamber of this section areconnected two pipes, one G, closed by a valve G2, which as alreadydescribed, leads back to the still, and another storage tank M3. On thepipe M 'below the valve M1 is an automatic release valve M2 set torelease at such pressure as the operation of the system makes necessary.rThe vapor pipe N from the top of the same condensation chamber, leadsupwards to the top of a condensation section from the bottom of which apipe O, closed by an automatic pressure release valve O1, leads to thestorage tank O2. The vapor pipe P leads upward from the top of thecondensation chamber of this section to the uppermost condensationsection, from the bottom of which the pipe Q closed by a pressurerelease valve Q1, leads to the storage tank Q2. The vapor pipe R leadsfrom the upper surface of the condensation chamber of the `last sectionto the storage tank R2. Above R2 is the gas storage tankXforun'condensed vapor. If preferred, the storage tanks may be replacedby direct meter connections to a central system. The pipes M, O, Q and Rleading from the condensation section to the storage tank, have jacketedabout them a cooler and condenser Si, which may be brine coil, a watercircuit, or the like. The automatic pressure release valves will be setnormally to release at the same pressure. From the still AV leads thepipe T, closed at either end by the valves T1 and T2. This pipe connectsthe still with the pipe R below a valve R1, and thus with the storagetank R2. This pipe is used to carry off the drippings or mixture of oiland water from the still, which is discharged through the pipe R to Vthetank R2 when it is carried ofi' by pipes not shown before the oil itselfbegins to iow. A separate pipe, also not shown, will of course be usedto dispose of the oil which is later received by the tank R2. It will beunderstood that the number of condensation sections in the apparatus,which is here described as six, can be varied, and that the number ofsections connected directly to the storage tanks may be changed, withoutdeparting from the spirit of my invention, but experience lindicatesthat the arrangement here described and illustrated will be preferable.I desire that my drawings be taken as in a sense diagrammatic, and itwill be understood that many changes in number. shape, proportion, anddisposition of parts can be made, all lying within the scope of myinvention.

The use and operation of my invention are as follows The liquid to berefined is introduced into the still and vaporized in the usual wav.llhen vaporization has sufficiently advanced, the vapor rises to thepipe which leads from the top of the still, follows its curve, andenters the distribution pipe and radiator pipe ofthe first condensationsection. There will be a considerable condensation in the radiator pipe,but'asthe condensate andthe each casedraining back to the still.

vapor `are both flowing downwardly, there is a minimum interference ofthe flow of the one with the other. The drip of condensates from thepipe gathers in the bottom of the condensation chamber, and, with thecondensate precipitated in the chamber, iows back to the still. It willbe noted that the condensate is immediately removed from the chain orcourse of passage of the uncondensed vapor, and that the vapor is notimpeded in its passage by condensates, except in the condensation pipes;and in that short stretch the condensate and the vapor are iiowing` inthe same direction. Thesize 'of thecondensation chamber, which allows arapid expansion of the vapor, when the vapor is under pressure, promotesan immediate and complete sepa-ration of vapor and' condensate. Thevapor passes upwardly from the top of the condensation chamber, and thecondensate flows out at the bottom to find its level in the pipe belowat the level of the oil in the still. Since the pipe discharges into thestill below the oil level, there is a constant circulation of oil, andno chance for the vapor under pressure to back up the oil in the runback pipe. This involves a great saving of fuel, since in the usualrelining system the vapor has to be heated above the necessary point andkept under a higher pressure because it has to force itself through andagainst the course of the condensate. 0f course no superfluous pressureis wasted in the actually Vharmful function of backing up the condensatein the run back pipe. An important resulty of this complete separationof vapor and liquid is, that it is absolutely impossible for the vaporto carry with itin its upwardv course condensates of the heavier grades,to mix with and reduceY the value of the better grade of condensate ofthe upper radiation and condensation section. `T'his is a ditculty metin the presently Lused systems where the vapor is filtered or forcedthrough the condensate in a condensing tow er, orthrough condensingsections. With my invention, no matter how great the pressure of thegas, no low grade condensate can be carried upwards or kept standing inthe condenser. It drains olf by gravity, undisturbed by any opposingfiow of vapor, and an approximately completeY separation of the varyinggrades of condensate is insured. The vapor passes successively throughseveral radiation sections,` the condensate in Finally, in the fourthsection as I have illustrated it, though the number might be greater orless, I provide for drawing' off the con' densate either tothe still, orto a storage tank. It will be understood that this condensate will benormally of relatively low grade. In some conditions it may be worthwhile draining it ofi" `directly tothe storage tank rather thanre-rening it. When the valve to the pipe returning to the still isclosed.` and after the storage tank pipe is opened the condensate willgather above an automatic pressure release valve which provided belowthe gate valve, till its weight is enough to open the valve, and allowthe liquid to drain olf. I set the valve normally to open at a pressureas the operation of the system makes necessary, the pressure in thesystem being usually at from 73 tol 95 pounds, though other pressuresmight be used,` in both cases. The essential point is that the valve isreleased at a pressure great er than that of the system, so that themixed vapor and condensate will not blow out through the pipe and intothe storage tank instead of following the apparatus through to the end.For the same reason I provide the condensate discharge pipes of theupper section of my apparatus which drain directly into the storagetanks with similar pressure and release valves. The vapor pipes from thelast uppermost condensation section carries olf the residue of the highgrade oil. This vapor is condensed by passage through the cooling andcondensing section described earlier in the specification, which mightbe a system of brine coils, or cold water. In my apparatus fifty percent of the condensate will be discharged through this uppermost vaporpipe, and will normally reach a specific gravity of 65 or higher. Afurther feature of my invention is the fact that by the passage of gasor vapor through the condenser box in which condensate backed up by thepressure valve is normally lowing,`I add to the volume of thiscondensate through the abso tion into the liquid of some of the vaporRrough which it passes. The slower the oil passes through the coils ofthe condenser box the greater will be the increase in its volume byabsorption since in my apparatus the `condensate is always carried offby gravity, and since the course of the vapor is unimpeded, I canoperate my system at a pressure lower than that normally used. All Irequire is that the vapor rise and flow through the various condensationsections. This involves a saving in fuel, and through the reduction ofthe heat. less danger of overheating the bottom of the still. This, ofcourse, allows a longer continuous operation of the still. By thereducedA pressure and the arrangement of the condensation sections toseparate the condensate trom the vapor, all danger ot oarrying the lowergrade distillate along with the vapor is obviated. Conversely, no excesspressure is requiredto force the vapor through the condensate, and allthese factors act together to reduce the heat and pressure needed, andat the same time to insure a higher grade of condensate from the uppercondensation sections.

When the still is run at higher pressure,

that is to say at higher heat and with an crceedingly more rapid run ofvapor and oil Y lthrough the condensation sections the quality of thedistillate from the top section will not be materially decreased inVquality. There will be a slight decrease in quality but a correspondingincrease in volume from the two sections next the top section. Therewill, of course, be a far greater run bach from the lower sections. Anydirt or foreign substance which is in the oil will gather in the lowercondensation chambers with the heavy oils and cannot be carried upwardthroughV the various passages and upper condensation chambers. Suchmatter cannot be vaporized and the pressure of the vapor passing upwardthrough the system is not suilicient to carry it far. This permits thedelivery .of oil to the storage tanks free from settlings.

I claim l. In an apparatus for distilling hydrocarbons comprising astill and means for heating it, and a reservoir for receiving thedistillate, a -plurality of condensation sections arranged in series, avapor pipe from the still to the first section, a vapor pipe from eachsection leading to the next section, condensate pipes leading from eachsection, those of the first sections leading back to the still, andthose of the later sections leading to the reservoir, a condenser, avapor pipe on the last section leading therethrough to the liquidreservoir, automatic pressure relief valves in the condensate pipesleading from the sections to the reservoir, said valves set at apressure substantially above that of the condensation system.

2. The process of distilling hydro-carbons which consists in vaporizingthe liquid and passing it through a series of condensation zones, inreturning for redistillation the condensate formed in some of the zonesand in allowing the condensate from other zones to escape into a storagezone by gravity, against pressure substantially higher than that of thecondensation zones.

3. In an apparatus for distilling hydrocarbons comprising a still andmeans for heating it, and reserviors for receiving the distillate, aplurality of condensation sections arranged in series, a vapor pipeJfrom the still to the first section, a vapor pipe from each sectionleading to the next section, condensate pipes leading from4 suchsections, automatic pressure relief valves in the condensate pipes, setat a pressure substantially above that of the condensation system.

4. In an apparatus for distilling hydrocarbons, a still and means forheating it, and a condensation section connected thereto, said sectioncomprising a distribution member, a separation chamber beneath it, saidchamber of far greater volume than said distribution member, and aradiation ineinlier connecting the distribution member With theseparation chamber, an oil run off pipe 'from the bottom of the chamber,an automatic relief valve in said pipeT set at a pres-v suresubstantiall)Y above that of the condensation system.

5. The process of distilling` hydro-carbons which consists in vaporizinga liquid and passing the vapor through a plurality of condensationzones, the vapor passing irst through a restricted radiation Zone andthen directlj7 into an enlarged separation Zone, and then through aseries of radiation and separation zones similar to the first pair, andpassing off the accumulated liquid formed in the separation zones,against pressure higher than that of said zones.

6. The process of distilling hydro-carbons which consists in vaporizinga liquid and passino' the vapor through a condensation Zone, townwardlythrough a restricted radiation Zone and then directly through anenlarged separation zone, and then upwardly from the top of saidseparation zone, and passing off the liquid accumulated in saidseparation zone against pressure higher than that o'l? said Zone.

ARTHUR C. ARMSTRONG.

Witnesses GRACE MACNAB, lanoann'r LUsBY.

